Concrete form clamp

ABSTRACT

A concrete form clamp for use in maintaining the sheathing employed in concrete forms at right angles with respect to each other so as to implement the assembly of the form for use in pouring concrete columns, footings, or the like structures rectangular in cross section. The clamp is formed with two pairs of clamp bars, the clamp bars of each pair being pivotally joined by means of a pair of pivotally connected pivot links, with a tie member extending between said links to permit them to be biased toward a position of axial alinement. The free ends of the clamp bars overlap and engage each other at right angles, with the tightening of the tie member between the pivot links serving to draw the clamp bars against the concrete form to be held in place.

United States Patent Meli [ 1 Mar. 21, 1972 CONCRETE FORM CLAMP 211 Appl. No.: 846,357

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 83,714 6/1935 Sweden ..269/41 Primary Examiner-William S. Lawson AttorneyRobert W. Fiddler 57 ABSTRACT A concrete form clamp for use in maintaining the sheathing employed in concrete forms at right angles with respect to each other so as to implement the assembly of the form for use in pouring concrete columns, footings, or the like structures rectangular in cross section. The clamp is formed with two pairs of clamp bars, the clamp bars of each pair being pivotally joined by means of a pair of pivotally connected pivot links, with a tie member extending between said links to permit them to be biased toward a position of axial alinement. The free ends of the clamp bars overlap and engage each other at right angles, with the tightening of the tie :member between the pivot links serving to draw the clamp bars against the concrete form to be held in place.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,521

INVENTOR JOSEPH MELI ATTORNEY.

CONCRETE FORM CLAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of concrete forms, and more particularly to an improved form clamp designed to maintain the sheathing of concrete forms at right angles to each other so as to implement the formation of concrete structural elements of rectangular cross section such as columns, piers, footings and the like.

In the pouring of concrete or cement, forms are set up to define the shape of the concrete member to be formed. Where the concrete or cement members to be produced are of a rectangular configuration, the forms which are of a sheet material, generally plywood, or the like must be maintained in the desired rectangular configuration.

To this end, a variety of form clamps have been evolved serving to implement the maintenance of the sheet members employed in fabricating the form in desired rectangular configuration. The problem with the previously evolved form clamps is that they are subject to being locked in one or more preselected positions, each a fixed distance from the other. However, should it be desired to maintain the form with a spacing between corners other than that provided for by the preselected positions available on the clamp, then shims or spacers are required to obtain support for the form at any of the intermediate positions between the preselected locking positions available. Additional problems arise in connection with the form clamps of the prior art in that they employ relatively complex locking mechanisms often utilizing auxiliary tools such as hammers, wrenches, or the like for positioning of the locking mechanism.

Thus in Davis US. Pat. No. 1,636,462, a form clamp typical of the prior art is shown in which the clamp members are held in desired spaced rectangular orientation, and locked by means of wedges in any one of a series of preselected spaced apertures in the crossing clamp members. As noted above, the problem with this construction is that where a spacing is desired which is intermediate that provided by the spaced locking openings, auxiliary shims must be employed.

Chandler in 11.8. Pat. No. 3,404,862 attempts to overcome this problem by utilizing a waler corner clamp providing for universal adjustability. However, the clamp requires separate removal and engagement from the waler, and requires the use of auxiliary wrenches with the components of the clamp subject to disassembly, and subject to becoming lost when used in the field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is with the above considerations in mind, that the present improved form clamp has been evolved, providing a clamp for maintaining the sheathing employed in making concrete forms or the like at right angles with respect to each other so as to implement the arrangement of the forms for use in pouring concrete columns, footings, or the like rectangular structures, with the clamp subject to selective adjustability at any point within a fixed range, without requiring the use of shims, and subject to rapid positioning and disengagement of the locking element without requiring the use ofauxiliary tools or the like.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved form clamp for maintaining the sheathing of concrete forms or the like in desired rectangular orientation and at any desired selected spacing between the form members within a desired range of dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form clamp which may be employed without requiring the use of auxiliary shims.

A further object of the invention is to provide a form clamp, the locking components of which are integral with the clamp, and not subject to loss under normal field conditions.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a form clamp in which the locking mechanisms may be manipulated without requiring the use of auxiliary tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form clamp in which the components while assembled may readily be cleaned.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a clamp of two pairs of clamp bars, each pair being pivotally joined together. The free ends of each pair of clamp bars are provided with retaining hooks or clips which overlap the overlapping ends of the opposite pair of clamp bars. The pivot connection between the pivotally connected pair of clamp bars is formed by means of a pair of links pivoted together, and pivoted to the clamp bars, with a tie member extending between the pivoted links to draw them together, whereby the clamp bars will be pulled towards each other, about the form sheathing.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the clamp locking mechanism formed by the tie member extending between the pivoted links is subject to actuation by hand, by use of a wing nut, thus eliminating the use of auxiliary tools.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the relatively few components employed are subject to ready cleaning.

A further feature of the invention resides in the fact that the components of the improved clamp or formed of stock elements subject to inexpensive fabrication and assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The specific details of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be particularly pointed out in clear, concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the form clamp shown in use in maintaining form sheathing in position for pouring a concrete column;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, in broken section illustrating the details ofthe clamp shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view showing the interrelationship between the tie member and the pivot links;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing a detail of a different embodiment of the pivoting links and tie member; and retaining hooks;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 4.; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail of an alternative arrangement of retaining hooks for interengaging the free ends of the clamp bars.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the form clamp 10 is employed to maintain the sheathing S of which the form is comprised in a desired rectangular configuration. As here illustrated, the sheathing S is maintained in a desired rectangular orientation to provide a form for a column. It will of course be understood by those skilled in the art that the novel clamp 10 may be utilized in maintaining the sheathing for forming piers, footings, or the like structures, rectangular in cross section.

The clamp 10 is formed by four clamp bars 11, 12, 13, and 14. These bars, as well as the other components of the clamp 10 are preferably formed of a relatively rigid, high tensile strength material, such as high strength chrome-manganese steel, or the like. Clamp bars 11 and 12 are pivotally joined, as are clamp bars 13 and 14, so as to provide two pairs of pivotally joined clamp bars.

The pivotal joining between the clamp bars is accomplished in accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 by means of a pair of pivot links 16 and 17 pivotally joining clamp bars 11 and 112, and a pair of pivot links 18 and 19 pivotally joining clamp bars 13 and 14. As illustrated, links 16 and 17 are pivotally joined together by pivot pin 22, while pivot links 18 and 19 are pivotally joined together by means of pivot pin 23. Links 16 and 17 are pivotally joined to clamp bars 11 and 12 by means of pivot pins 25 and 26 respectively, while pivot links 18 and 19 are joined to clamp bars 13 and 14 by pivot pins 27 and 28 respectively. Pivot pins 22, and 25-28 may be formed in any conventional fashion, by the use of nuts and bolts, or by the use of studs with their head ends peened over as illustrated. The only requirement with respect to these pivot pins is that they be of sufficient strength, and provide for free pivoting between the components joined.

A tie member 30 is extended between the pivot links at a point spaced from the pivot connection between the pivot links so as to permit the pivot links to be drawn together approach a position of axial alinement of the pivot links. Tie member 30, as illustrated is formed by a threaded stud 31 having an end 32 bent over at right angles to the stud portion 31 and inserted through an end of one of the links, 17 and 18 in FIG. 2, with end 32 peened over at 33 to insure securement of the tie member 30 with respect to links 17 and 18. The tie member 30 should pivot freely with respect to the link to which it is secured.

Wing nut 39 is provided for adjustable threaded engagement over tie stud 31.

The free end of the pivot links other than the one to which the tie member 30 is secured is provided with a tie member detent 40. Thus links 17 and 18 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided with tie member 30, while the free ends of links 16 and 19 are formed with detents 40, which as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 is formed by means of plate 41 having off set portion 42, which is off set from the plane of plate 41. Plate 41 is secured by riveting or the like to pivot links 16 and 19, with the spacing between the links and the off set portion 42 providing a channel in which the tie member stud 31 may be engaged.

At the end of the clamp bars 11, 12, 13 and 14, opposite to the ends at which they are pivotally connected, retaining clips or hooks 45 are provided. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, these clips are formed by plate members 46 secured by rivets 48 and having off set portions 47 spaced from the bar to which they are secured by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the clamp bars. Alternatively these retaining clips may be formed as headed rivets or machine screws 50, spaced pairs of which are shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. It is preferred that the head 51 be flattened along a side and that the spacing between adjacent pairs of rivets 50 be such as to accommodate a clamp bar therebetween, lying under the heads of one pair. As viewed in the drawings, clamp bars 11 and 12 are formed with the retaining clips 45 or 50 on the upper surface thereof, while clamp bars 13 and 14, in the illustrated orientation are formed with the retaining clips 45 or 50 on the lower surface thereof. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is preferred that each pair of clamp bars 11-12, and l314 along with their associated pivoting and locking assemblies be identical so as to permit the use of any pair of clamp bars with any other pair of clamp bars.

A modified form of the pivot connection between the clamp bars is illustrated in FIG. 4, where it will be observed that pivot links 61 and 62 are pivoted together at their ends by means of a pivot connection 63. The tie member 65 is pivotally connected to pivot link 61 by means of a pivot connection through the flattened end 62 of the threaded tie bar 65 so that the tie bar 65 lies substantially in the plane of pivot link 62. Pivot link 62 is formed by two straps, as best seen in FIG. with the tie bar 65 extended between the spacing of the straps forming pivot link 62, the spacing forming a channel in which the tie member 65 may be engaged.

The wing nut 69 is threadedly engaged with tie stud 65.

OPERATION In use, the aforedescribed components are fabricated and assembled, preferably of steel, by the utilization of conventional metal forming and fabricating techniques to provide two pairs of pivotally connected clamp bars as above described.

Where it is desired to maintain the sheathing conventionally employed in the formation of concrete forms with the sheathing oriented to provide a form rectangular in cross section, the sheathing is arranged, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with a pair of clamp bars arranged against the form as illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be observed, upon tightening of the wing nuts on the threaded tie studs, the pivot links will be forced to move towards a position in which they overly each other, thus drawing the clamp bars towards each other. Depending on the geometry and dimensions of the clamp assemblies, a range of adjustment at any desired position sufficient to handle any of the forms on a particular job may readily be provided for. It is not necessary to use shims between the clamp bars and the forms, since tightening of the wing nut takes up any loosness between the form boards and the clamp bar.

Upon removal of the clamp bar, simple manual manipulation of the wing nut effects removal, and when utilizing the form of the invention in FIGS. 1-3, it will be noted that rapid cleaning of the clamp bars may readily be attained.

In using the spaced pairs of retaining clips formed by the headed rivets or bolts 50, the range of adjustment of the clamp may be further increased.

What is claimed is:

1. A form clamp for use in maintaining concrete molding forms at right angles to each other to form a rectangular form, said clamp comprising a first pair of clamp bars; a pair of pivot links joining said pair of clamp bars, said pivot links being pivoted to said clamp bars, and to each other; and a tie member extending between said pivot links at a point spaced from the point of pivoting between said pivot links; a second pair of pivotally connected clamp bars; and retaining means between the free ends of said first and second pivotally connected clamp bars providing interengagement between said free ends, whereby upon taking up on said tie member said clamp bars will be drawn towards each other.

2. A form clamp as in claim 1 in which said retaining means comprise a plate secured to one of said bars; and an offset portion of said plate spaced from said bar a distance equal to the thickness of the free end of the other bar to be engaged.

3. A form clamp as in claim 1 in which said tie member comprises a threaded stud pivotally secured to one of said links; and a wing nut adjustably engaging said stud with the other link of said pair.

4. A form clamp as in claim 3 in which said other link is formed with a channel through which said tie member extends.

5. A form clamp as in claim 3 in which said tie member is pivoted to one of the pivot links of said pair of pivot links at a point on said link on the side of the pivot connection between said pivot links opposite to the pivot connection between said links and said clamp bars.

6. A form clamp as in claim 3 in which said tie member is pivoted to one of the pivot links of said pair of pivot links at a point on said link between the pivot connection between said pair of pivot links and the pivot connection between said link and said clamp bar.

7. A form clamp as in claim 4 in which said channel is formed by a plate member secured to said other link, said plate member having an offset portion spaced from said other link a distance at least equal to the thickness of said tie member.

8. A form clamp as in claim 7 in which said channel is open on three sides, and tie member can be swung free of said channel.

9. A form clamp as in claim 7 in which said channel is open on two sides.

10. A form clamp as in claim 1 in which said retaining means comprise a headed rivet secured to the free end of one of said bars, the headed portion being spaced from the bar a distance equal to the thickness of the bar.

11. A form clamp as in claim in which a plurality of spaced pairs of headed rivets are employed, with spacing between pairs of rivets accommodating a bar.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,650,521 Dated March 21, 1972 Inventor(s) Joseph Meli It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet, cancel [73] Assighee: CMI Corporation, vOklahoma City, Okla."

Signed and sealed this 1st day of May 1973.

(SEAL).

Attest:

EDWARD M FLETCHER JR ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents =oRM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 50376-P59 R US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I959 O-'356-334, 

1. A form clamp for use in maintaining concrete molding forms at right angles to each other to form a rectangular form, said clamp comprising a first pair of clamp bars; a pair of pivot links joining said pair of clamp bars, said pivot links being pivoted to said clamp bars, and to each other; and a tie member extending between said pivot links at a point spaced from the point of pivoting between said pivot links; a second pair of pivotally connected clamp bars; and retaining means between the free ends of said first and second pivotally connected clamp bars providing interengagement between said free ends, whereby upon taking up on said tie member said clamp bars will be drawn towards each other.
 2. A form clamp as in claim 1 in which said retaining means comprise a plate secured to one of said bars; and an offset portion of said plate spaced from said bar a distance equal to the thickness of the free end of the other bar to be engaged.
 3. A form clamp as in claim 1 in which said tie member comprises a threaded stud pivotally secured to one of said links; and a wing nut adjustably engaging said stud with the other link of said pair.
 4. A form clamp as in claim 3 in which said other link is formed with a channel through which said tie member extends.
 5. A form clamp as in claim 3 in which said tie member is pivoted to one of the pivot links of said pair of pivot links at a point on said link on the side of the pivot connection between said pivot links opposite to the pivot connection between said links and said clamp bars.
 6. A form clamp as in claim 3 in which said tie member is pivoted to one of the pivot links of said pair of pivot links at a point on said link between the pivot connection between said pair of pivot links and the pivot connection between said link and said clamp bar.
 7. A form clamp as in claim 4 in which said channel is formed by a plate member secured to said other link, said plate member having an offset portion spaced from said other link a distance at least equal to the thickness of said tie member.
 8. A form clamp as in claim 7 in which said channel is open on three sides, and tie member can be swung free of said channel.
 9. A form clamp as in claim 7 in which said channel is open on two sides.
 10. A form clamp as in claim 1 in which said retaining means comprise a headed rivet secured to the free end of one of said bars, the headed portion being spaced from the bar a distance equal to the thickness of the bar.
 11. A form clamp as in claim 10 in which a plurality of spaced pairs of headed rivets are employed, with spacing between pairs of rivets accommodating a bar. 